Low engine oil caused Norway cruise mayday

Oslo The engines of a cruise ship that narrowly escaped disaster during a storm off Norway on Saturday failed because of low levels of lubricating oil, the Norwegian Maritime Authority said. The Viking Sky, with almost 1,400 passengers and crew on board, sent out a mayday as she drifted to within 100 metres of land. All four engines failed but the crew restarted one just in time to avoid running aground. The heavy seas probably caused movements in the tanks that stopped the supply to oil pumps, the regulator said. This triggered a “low oil level” alarm, which caused the engines to shut down automatically. (Reuters)